News Release

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Estranged Husband Shoots Woman, Abducts Two Children

UPDATE

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is requesting the public’s help in locating two young boys who were abducted by their father.

On June 15, 2008, at about 10:40 a.m., a female, Hispanic attempted to drop off her two children, 5-year-old Diego Fabian Ortega and 3-year-old Luis Gonzalo Ortega, at her estranged husband’s residence in the 10400 block of McBroom Street in Sunland. Jose Luis Ortega, 27, shot his estranged wife a number of times after the two became involved in an argument.

Ortega grabbed the children and left the scene in a black, 1998 Ford Ranger pickup truck, California License plate 7Z19738. Because the suspect said that he was going to possibly escape to Mexico and threatened to kill his wife’s family, an America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Alert was issued.

The mother of Diego and Luis was transported to a local area hospital and was listed in critical condition.

Later in the evening, around 11:00 p.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recovered the Ford pick up truck in Lancaster, CA, and the AMBER Alert was canceled.

As of Monday, June 16, at 9:00 a.m., the mother of Diego and Luis, was still listed in serious condition and is in intensive care.
Diego is 5-years-old and was last seen wearing a blue and green checkered shirt, blue jeans and white shoes.

Luis is 3-years-old and was last seen wearing a red checkered shirt and white shoes.

Suspect Jose Luis Ortega is described as a male, Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, 180 pounds and has a medium build and a light complexion.

Ortega is to be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Diego, Luis and Jose is asked to call 9-1-1. For any additional information, please contact Foothill Division Detectives at 818-756-8861. After hours and on the weekends, calls may be directed to a toll-free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).